It was Fourty Years Ago Today

Memories of what happened in Hereford United's history usually dwell on those Cup games in 1972, but it is sometimes forgotten that the catalyst in bringing that squad together was John Charles who joined the Bulls fourty years today.

King John, as he was known, was born and raised in Swansea but was scouted by Leeds where he made his debut in 1949 when only 17. He moved onto Juventus in 1957 where he was given the title King John. Charles returned to Leeds in 1962, then moved to Roma before returning to Wales with Cardiff City. From there he moved to Hereford United.

At the end of the 65/66 season Charles decided his Football League playing days were over but wanted to continue playing football at some level. Cardiff gave Charles a free transfer and amidst the offers he received was one from Bob Dennison, the manager of Hereford United at the time.

Charles went away to his Italian holiday home to consider his future. Dennison was also on holiday at the same time. So Harold Rumsey and Frank Miles went to Italy and found Charles.

Harold Rumsey was a director of Hereford United and Frank Miles was chairman of the Hereford United Supporters Club at the time.

"Harold and I flew to Nice. We hired a car and drove to Diano Marina where Charles was on holiday," said Miles.

"It went smoothly. John was such a nice bloke. He didn't ask for the sky."

On their return from Italy Rumsey told the Hereford Times that it was no secret that they wanted to sign Charles. They had seen Charles play in two pre-season friendlies when the Gentle Giant had scored in both games and their current striker Ron Fogg had left Edgar Street.

On July 3rd 1966 Charles telephoned Rumsey from his home in Cardiff and agreed to sign. Rumsey is then said to have driven to Cardiff with the required forms and the deal was done.

"John came to Hereford completely out of the blue. It was an amazing signing really. He was such a big man. No wonder he could get such power on his headers," recalled Roger Griffiths, a right-back at Edgar Street in 1966.

Charles scored 37 goals in his first year with Hereford, not bad for a 34 year-old. And in his second year he managed five goals in one game admittedly in a Welsh Cup fixture against Llanidloes.

But a surprise move to management for Charles came in December 1967 after Dennison moved to Coventry. Bill Humphries, who was then Hereford's chairman, offered Charles the role of player-manager. Charles was said to be thrilled to bits and even agreed to attend an FA coaching course.

It didn't all go Charles' way as results in the main were disappointing for several seasons. But slowly he was putting together a side that will be remembered for all the right reasons.

Dudley Tyler joined Hereford United in 1969 and Ricky George and Ronnie Radford were two players who joined the club in 1971.

Eventually the strain was beginning to tell on Charles who also had business commitments in Cardiff. There was talk of clashes about team selection with chairman Frank Miles who had taken over from Humphries.

In September 1971 Charles resigned. Colin Addison took over and led the Bulls into the Football League and then came that FA Cup replay against Newcastle.

Eleven of the twelve who featured for Hereford United that day were signed by John Charles.

Charles was made an CBE in 2001. He died in February 2004.


Postcript: Much of the above material was drawn from two books on John Charles.

King John the Autobiography was written by John Charles with Bob Harris.

John Charles Gentle Giant was written by Mario Risoli.

Both contain chapters on Charles' time at Hereford United.

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